Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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1. To ask the Taoiseach to report on his attendance at the European Council on 20 and 21 March. [16780/25]

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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2. To ask the Taoiseach to report on his attendance at the recent European Council. [22206/25]

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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3. To ask the Taoiseach to report on his attendance at the European Council on 20 and 21 March. [15145/25]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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4. To ask the Taoiseach to report on his attendance at the recent European Council. [25527/25]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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5. To ask the Taoiseach to report on his attendance at the recent European Council. [26851/25]

Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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6. To ask the Taoiseach to report on his attendance at the recent European Council. [27215/25]

Naoise Ó Cearúil (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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7. To ask the Taoiseach to report on his attendance at the recent European Council. [27219/25]

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, together.

I attended the European Council meeting on Thursday, 20 March where leaders continued discussions on Ukraine and European defence and security. Other topics discussed were the Middle East, competitiveness, the next multi-annual financial framework, MFF, new own resources, migration, oceans, multilateralism and the western Balkans. Leaders were joined by the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, for a working lunch and a euro summit took place on the margins of the meeting.

We were also joined via video conference call by President Zelenskyy for an exchange of views on Ukraine. Leaders recalled the principles to be adhered to in negotiations for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace set out at the 6 March special European Council. We welcomed the joint statement by Ukraine and the US on a ceasefire proposal, humanitarian efforts and the resumption of US intelligence sharing and security assistance. The European Council called on Russia to show real political will to end the war and stated that a credible pathway to peace must include humanitarian relief efforts, including prisoner exchange, release of civilians and the return of Ukrainian children unlawfully deported to Russia and Belarus.

Continuing our discussion on European defence and security from the 6 March special European Council, and in light of the publication of the Commission's White Paper on the future of European defence, leaders called for the ramping up of member states' defence readiness within the next five years. The need to invest in defence is important for the security and preparedness of member states.

On the Middle East, leaders took stock of the latest developments and deplored the breakdown of the ceasefire in Gaza and the refusal of Hamas to hand over the remaining hostages. We called for the immediate return to full implementation of the ceasefire and hostage agreement. On Syria, leaders condemned the widespread violence against civilians, stressing the importance of a peaceful and inclusive transition. We welcomed the end of the political impasse in Lebanon.

The discussion on competitiveness focused on simplification, reducing the administrative burden, reducing energy prices and increasing private investment through the savings and investments union. The European Council welcomed the competitiveness compass, the clean industrial deal and the omnibus simplification packages presented by the Commission.

On the multi-annual financial framework, leaders had a first exchange of views on the next iteration of the European Union's long-term budget. The Commission is expected to publish its proposal for the next MFF in July.

On migration, leaders took stock of developments and called for progress on areas such as the Commission's proposals on returns.

The European Council also welcomed the proposal for a European oceans pact, highlighting the importance of oceans and the blue economy. The pact was a focus of the European Maritime Day event held in Cork on 21 to 23 May and was formally launched yesterday in Nice by the President of the Commission, the President of the Council and European Ministers, including me.

On multilateralism, the European Council underlined our commitment to upholding the UN charter and remaining a predictable and credible partner in driving forward the UN80 initiative aimed at reform of the United Nations to reflect a changing world.

Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Taoiseach for his comprehensive outline of what happened at the European Council. He indicated we will have initial sight of the next multi-annual financial framework this month. It is critical that we see a fully funded EU budget. From Ireland's point of view, it is critical that the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, is fully funded and is not just there to meet current requirements. While it is essential and correct that we support Ukraine's path to membership, CAP must be sufficient to meet the needs of an enlarged European Union, particularly in terms of Ukraine being a sufficient beneficiary under Pillar 2. Perhaps the Taoiseach could outline some further detail on that.

Regarding European competitiveness, and I know the Taoiseach has been very supportive, it is critical that we see movement on the capital markets union to ensure greater availability of capital throughout Europe. This does not just benefit business; it also benefits consumers because consumers in Ireland could see better value in terms of financial and insurance products. I would be grateful if the Taoiseach could provide detail on those.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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On Ukraine, I condemn outright Russia's increasingly heavy and brutal bombardment of civilian infrastructure. We have seen more civilian casualties in Kharkiv and Kyiv in recent days. It is appalling to see that and I join with Deputy Malcolm Byrne in looking for an update on a timeline for possible accession. Ireland has been at the forefront of supporting Ukraine's proposed accession to the EU.

I raised earlier the plight of the crew of the Madleen and asked the Taoiseach to take steps at EU level to address the concern that many of us feel at reports that Israel is to be in attendance on 23 June at an EU southern neighbourhood ministerial meeting. I understand that there is considerable disquiet in many member states, including Ireland, at the prospect that the Israeli foreign minister might even participate in this meeting, the purpose of which we are told is to deepen EU co-operation with Israel and other southern partners, including Palestine, Egypt and Jordan. I would like an update on that. I know the Taoiseach did not have time to address that point when I raised it earlier with him.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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The Taoiseach referenced the galloping militarisation happening at EU level. It underlines the importance of Ireland's neutrality in that context and the importance of the struggle to defend that neutrality. Significant numbers will be on the streets this Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Garden of Remembrance to do so. What we have heard about the triple lock has confirmed the basic point the Taoiseach made in 2013, which was that it is at the core of our neutrality. What we have seen in the heads of Bill and what we heard in the Oireachtas committee from the Department of Defence two weeks ago has underlined our fears and the fact that what is proposed is a total abolition of the triple lock and the effective end of what is left of neutrality. Would the Taoiseach agree with the Department of Defence in committee that the heads of Bill would allow Irish troops, more than 50, to be sent abroad without UN approval as part of US-led coalitions or as part of NATO or EU-led missions? Does the Taoiseach agree with it that it would have meant that troops could have been sent to participate in the invasion of Iraq?

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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One of the most brutal things I have seen is the picking up by ICE of children and people off the streets of the US yet how far away from it are we given what happened here last week where 35 people, including five people, were deported to Nigeria? The report from the children's school principal and those who knew them said that they had been fully integrated in the school for three years and that so many of the schoolchildren were upset. They came to the Red Cow IPAS centre and it told them they were going to deported and other children were listening to this. It is a high price to pay for a bit of virtue signalling to the far right - €325,000 or thereabouts to deport 35 people so that the Minister for justice can look like the strong man and this Government looks like it is doing something against racists because that it is exactly what it is.

Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Shame.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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It is a shame. The Minister was asked what the alternative to deporting children was. Maybe listen to what Simon Harris said when children were deported a few years back and he rallied behind them but the Taoiseach has just decided that this is popular.

Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Taoiseach for the report. I note that in the conclusion of the European Council meeting in March competitiveness featured largely. I would like to hear more about what discussions were had about keeping the Commission honest in terms of following the simplification agenda. We know from the Draghi and Letta reports that there is a need for an impetus towards the simplification agenda that is not just the deferral of regulation but involves looking at how we ease the burden on businesses in the EU to allow them to not only compete with counterparts in the US but those in Asia and to make sure Europe is at the forefront of the technological innovations that are coming down the track.

In addition and related to that is a need for a co-ordinated approach to a European research and lifelong learning agenda. What steps are we taking to ensure that Irish universities can be centres of excellence and that across the piece, we encourage European universities to be at the forefront of innovation, skills development and lifelong learning we need? Could the Taoiseach provide me with an update on the free trade agreement negotiations between the EU and India?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputies for raising a variety of issues. Deputy Malcolm Byrne focused on the multi-annual financial framework. This will be a very challenging debate, which we commenced last March. I met the President of the Commission about six weeks ago for a substantive meeting on a range of issues. I emphasised the importance of the Common Agricultural Policy retaining its core ring-fenced funding framework. One of the issues will be around how we can increase it. The significant pressure on the multi-annual financial framework will be more and more pressures to spend more in different areas but no concrete proposals in terms of additional revenues. I also emphasised the importance of the Horizon research programme. Speaking about competitiveness, investment and research is crucial for the future of Europe and Ireland.

I agree with the Deputy on the capital markets union. I have been pushing strongly to try to reach an accommodation on a savings and investment union, which is the new name for the capital markets union. We would have had concerns about some aspects of it but I think we can get agreement. The Commission will be making its proposals soon in respect of that.

The major pressure will be defence in that some member states fear an existential threat from Russia. I note that Deputy Paul Murphy used the phrase "galloping militarisation". That would probably be a phrase that the Baltic states would use about Russia. They feel a significant imperative to have some defensive capability and they will not have the wherewithal to do that within their own capital resources so they feel they should be able to avail of some funding but this is to be discussed. There are pressures and that is the origin of the pressure - the Russian threat and the fear of Russian militarisation, aggrandisement and attacks on other countries. Deputy Bacik is right in condemning Russia's attack on Ukraine, the continuing focus on civilian infrastructure, the killing of children and civilians and the foot dragging about the return of children who have been abducted by Russia from Ukraine and taken to Russia or Belarus.

The crew of the Madleen deserve credit for their bravery in highlighting the issues. I do not have the background regarding the southern neighbourhood meeting and I need to get it. I will get the Department of foreign affairs to revert to the Deputy about that.

Deputy Paul Murphy raised what he called the galloping militarisation EU agenda and the triple lock. I sanctioned this legislation because I believe it is no longer tenable that Russia or any of the permanent five should have a veto on Ireland's participation in peacekeeping. The Bill will make it clear that any peacekeeping initiatives in which Ireland will engage will be in accordance with UN principles and the UN charter and over 50 makes sense. It makes logistical sense that it would be over 50. We have participated in NATO peacekeeping missions and African Union and EU missions before. They are all UN-designated organisations that are under the UN framework.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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NATO.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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There can be NATO peacekeeping that is accordance with UN principles and the UN charter and the UN acknowledges that such as in the Balkans and so forth. It is not the end of neutrality. Neutrality is defined by membership of a military alliance. We are not members of a military alliance and we have no intention of becoming members of a military alliance. The idea that Russia would have a veto over Ireland's-----

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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It does not.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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A Security Council resolution can be vetoed by Russia.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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Yes but the General Assembly-----

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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The General Assembly was used decades ago. It is not a feasible option for sanctioning peace initiatives and the Deputy well knows it. It is not a viable or feasible approach. Every peacekeeping mission in which we have participated have been sanctioned by the Security Council and it is increasingly becoming more problematic to even get agreement on humanitarian corridors in places of conflict as we have experienced in Syria, Ethiopia and other areas.

The issue of deportations involving families is very traumatic and stressful for children but every country in the world has rules, passports, visas and routes of legal migration. No country in the world has an open border. Ireland does not have open borders and we have always had rules and frameworks. There must be a pathway to legal migration and if people do not qualify, we must take action. That is the context for what the Minister for Justice, Deputy O'Callaghan, has been doing. It is not about trying to look strong or anything like that but there must be a clear policy framework that is well articulated and understood.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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It is like what Trump is doing, is it?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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We have had increased migration in the context of the numbers now applying which went from an average of 3,500 in 2019 to approximately 14,000 to 15,000 in the past two years. This has a serious impact on services and our system. We need to accelerate it and make it faster for both the application and appeals processes but the message must be there that there are rules in Ireland and they must be seen to be applied. That is the bottom line.

Deputy Moynihan raised the issue of the competitiveness agenda. The omnibus legislation has been significant, particularly for the car industry. The vast majority of small companies and industries have now been exempt from much of EU legislation to try to give greater flexibility and freedom and to make it more competitive. The savings and investments union has been progressed by the Commission and has taken soundings. We have a strong financial services sector in Ireland and we would have a clear interest in this. Luxembourg would be another example, with Germany, France and a few others but those would be the key countries in this respect. I will unleash a lot of capital for venture capital and the new start-up and entrepreneurial sectors. There is much to be gained from trying to bring that over the line in the coming year and I will be positive about that at EU Council level.

The issue of research is the other key part of the competitiveness agenda and is something I am very much focused on. The president of the Commission is hopeful and has made progress on the European Union trade negotiations. There will be a significant agreement. It is interesting to counter forces of protectionism in trade and tariffs on trade. There are other agreements being worked on energetically by the Commission that are counterintuitive to other pressures. The committee is very focused on that.

Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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On Ukrainian accession-----

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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On Ukrainian accession, Ireland has been one of the leaders in pushing for an acceleration of accession and the Commission is working away on it. Hungary is against it and its negativity has slowed down the process by indicating its opposition to the various processes involved in the Ukrainian accession to the European Union. This is a pity as I believe the people of Ukraine see their future in a European Union. They see protection in it with regard to freedom of expression, freedom of movement, free speech and better opportunities to develop a quality life in economic activity. Ukraine sees Russia and looks at the European Union and is very clear on where it wants to be.